Paradigms and learning the language of nature

Jan. 18

We’ve all likely heard, at least a dozen times, the quote attributed to Anais Nin and several others -- “we see things not as they are, but as we are.” As popular as this quote is (in its many applications) it seems the fact has not sunk in -- that our world is shaped largely by individual and collective paradigms.

Our paradigm is essentially our world view, a way of looking at things or mental models. A mental model is usually used to describe the way an individual looks at things and makes sense about how it works, so I like to think of mental models as individualized paradigms and paradigms as collective mental models. Same same, but somehow different.

Paradigm shifting information actually may not include a tangible change, it could instead be an increase in awareness or a realization that a long held belief about reality is in-fact a construct (spoiler alert: it’s mostly a construct). This new information can often spark a whole new direction, something that would not have been possible otherwise. I believe that we transform as individuals when our deeply held beliefs or patterns are interrupted. This can happen in a moment, or over a long period of time (side note: it often takes time for that type of shift to emerge... and contrary to what the self-care industry, unfortunately sometimes including coaches, might want us to think, it doesn’t often happen overnight).

Our paradigms are important, they help us to make sense of the world. But, we often forget that our outlook on how things work can trip us up along the way and blind us to possibilities that might be lying directly in front of us. Here’s a sci-fi example, bear with me. Have you seen Arrival (2016)? If you haven’t, watch it.

Add it to your watch list.

You can do that now.

I’ll wait...

The reason I bring this movie up is because (without too many spoilers) this is a really interesting portrayal of paradigm shifts. It’s based on aliens arriving on earth and our main character, a linguist, is making sense of the alien language. Learning their language literally changed her experience of reality. I’ve said enough! While this is explored in the sci-fi world, it’s well known that we can experience shifts in how we understand ourselves and the world, when we learn a new language.

I’ve been thinking more, lately, about how individual and collective paradigms might shift, if we focused on learning the language of natural systems.

The language of the trees, or the mycelial networks that link trees together and allow them to collaborate and share resources -- the language of plants and living systems. Funny enough, we don’t often learn this language, even though our lives literally depend on it.

We spend far more time in our industrialized culture learning mechanics, parts, how to assemble, diagnose, separate, taking one thing out and fixing it. We focus on how to categorize, analyze, disconnect and replace. These skills are useful, because we do rely on some non-living systems that support our health and wholeness as humans. But, is it just me, or is it feeling like that language is reaching the limits of its usefulness? After all, our social systems, organizations, family and community lives are indeed living systems.

We must learn the language of nature. The most important structures that support our aliveness are living systems, including our own body - which is itself a living system. For me, learning permaculture has given me an avenue and a starting point. Of course, the reality is that there are many other ways to learn this language. Indigenous teachings and regenerative practices, for example, have existed much longer than the teachings of permaculture. As I talk to others who are exploring learning this language (which by the way isn’t woo woo), it connects us to a deeper sense of awareness. Like a re-emergence of a language we all once knew -- written within our DNA.

Albert Einstein said something to the effect of -- our intuitive mind is an incredible gift and our rational mind exists as a tool, yet we have prioritized the tool and devalued the gift. We’ve made what we can make sense of in our rational brain the king of industrial society, and devalued the complexity of living systems. This is why the invitation into a paradigm shift feels essential now. The old paradigms of our human evolution always served their purpose, for a time, but eventually they all outlive usefulness and give way to new ways of thinking. The emergent way offers possibilities that were not available previously.

Trick is, in terms of leverage points for change. While paradigm shifts can be powerful, they tend to be difficult. Donella Meadows explores in her book Thinking in Systems the leverage points for change within a system, where we can intervene. She explores 12 leverage points, starting with the easiest (but less effective) working up the leverage points that make the most impact. In our politics, social structures and organizations we seem to stay largely on the low impact side. She works up to “Paradigms - the mind-set out of which the system -- its goals, structure, rules, delays parameters [all lower level leverage points] -- arises.” I believe that while this leverage point is difficult, particularly for a whole group of people or society, that this is truly where change needs to occur if humanity and the planet are to thrive for generations to come.

It’s possible if we speak the language of living systems!

Reflection Questions:

What do you notice about the paradigms you operate from? How about those around you?
How might learning the language of nature transform our social and organizational spaces?

(And, seriously… watch Arrival and send me a message with your thoughts!)

Further Reading: